What If A Texas Judge Cleaned Guns During Jury Selection?

Anthony Haynes was only 19. An African American with no prior criminal record, he was under the influence of crystal meth and mental health problems when he killed an off-duty police officer in Houston, Texas in May 1998.

At jury selection for his trial, the judge cleaned guns while African Americans were peremptorily removed from the jury pool. What kind of message did that send?

A jury with 11 white members convicted Haynes. His defense lawyer then made little effort to stave off a death sentence – witnesses who could have testified that Anthony Haynes’ crime was totally out of character were not called. The jury heard nothing about this, or about Haynes’ mental health issues, and promptly sentenced him to die.

Since his death sentence was handed down in 1999, Anthony Haynes has been a model prisoner, disproving the jury’s conclusion that he would be a continuing threat to society (a requirement in Texas for passing a death sentence).

Yet Texas has scheduled Anthony Haynes for execution anyway, on October 18. The neglectful way that racial bias was allowed to seep into this case, and indifference of all concerned (including, first, his defense, and then the courts that thought it was ok for a judge to clean guns in front of potential jurors) are all too typical of death penalty cases.

A system that cavalier toward matters of life and death should be stripped of its power to impose the ultimate penalty. If Texas authorities want to show that they do take capital cases seriously, they can start by granting clemency to Anthony Haynes.

About Brian Evans

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23 thoughts on “What If A Texas Judge Cleaned Guns During Jury Selection?”

Number 1 – there was atleast 1 african American on the unanamous jury (of course you conveniently left that out SHOCKING that you would purposefully do such a thing). Number 2 – The man is guilty beyond any doubt. Number 3 – neither you or anyone can show any bias/prejudice on the part of the GASP "white" jury. Number 4 – stop judging people (juries included) by the color of the skin. Even the "cleaning the guns" story should be elaborated to paint a more honest and truthful picture of what really went on to include how it had zero impact on the results of the trial and countless appeals.

I concur with Brian. The race card cannot be played in this case because there is no prejudice that can clearly be established. AIUSA does not need to discuss that he had no prior record nor that he was on crystal meth either. Can we excuse a domestic violence perpetrator on the basis he was under the influence of alcohol? AIUSA continues to make excuses for murderers without providing any solutions to this dillemma other than LWOP. Take out your checkbook then to equalize my tax burden…

I am so very happy people down – mark my remarks. This means I am touching on some nerves here and perhaps making people think that AIUSA provides empty rhetoric and no substance in terms of providing any solutions. LWOP is costly and the only result is an overcowded prison full of murderers, who but away, will need to be segregated or put in solitary confinement due to their propensities. IAIUSA being for LWOP and at the same time arguing against solitary confinement (another cause discussed in another post) for dangerous prisoners is yet another illogical conclusion that would not withstand objective analysis.

Stubby – seek help now. When you have calmed down and done a little unbiased research and analysis into this particular case and care to debate (like a mature adult) the specific arguments Mr. Brian Evans has tossed out in this blog – I will be happy to have an adult like discussion with you. Now — BREATH feel better???

I take it from your post you are not interested in debating the "issues" raised in this blog. Please tell me where I sign up to administer the cocktail for the next convicted of brutally raping and murdering a child or shooting a cop point blank in the face while his terrified wife was sitting in the passenger seat of the off-duty police officers car right behind them.

What States are using a Garrotte or Penknife? I already have a full-time job, school, family and other part-time employment — I dont think i'll be taking any civil service exams or applying any time soon for that worthy and honorable law enforcement profession – but if any States ever need a volunteer I'll be sure to sign up.

OMG- I am just itching to sign up as well but my state's dumb legislators just took the death penalty off the books last year. They may as well have put up a banner "Illinois welcomes
any and all child and adult murderers."

Seriously – have you or anyone in your circle of family and close friends ever been a victim of a major crime? You run your motormouth so much now but if (God forbid) you or your loved ones were on the receiving end, I do not think for one minute you would be spreading a message of love. Live takes on a different perspective for victim's families – but than, AIUSA is not about victims and their families!

But to my original response to your comment above – have you given this murderer a hug yet?

Stubby: It is apparent you have no clue about the name's origins or my nationality for that matter, but anyway – my comments reflect the factual information that is out there as well as attempt to point out the flaws in logic in posts that AIUSA puts forth to the readership. I think I have been successful, judging from the thumbs up I've been getting from majority of my comments. You on the other hand, just like most fanatic AIUSA supporters, have not yet presented a single argument other than pure criticism toward others, now having resolved to personal attacks. You may be getting some laughs around here, but to the more educated reader your credibility is shot. LOL…

1) I do not coddle murderers and 2) belief in our justice system (unlike those of you who spit on it). Take a few of these wife/infant/child and other assortment of murderers. They are all yours. You may even want to marry one of them and have a glass-divided relationship. How about becoming a chaplain on death row instead of spewing this garbage here.

Are you capable of taking me up on this. Nothing like first-hand experience with a murderer to wake one up…

There are legitimate human rights violations on our soil (the US) such as poverty affecting access to healthcare/education, LGTB issues, civil rights issues, immigrant issues – and you are insulting me because I voice my reserved right to queston AIUSA's priorities in their quest to defend murderers? Heck, they have not even put out their usual petition thisd time on Donnie Lee Robert's behalf. Selective, are they not?

You are not on the right side of justice Sir and no matter the insults you spew in my direction the fact that you are a defender of murderers speaks volumes….